San Francisco 49ers fans would love to see their team knock off the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, avenging last season's playoff loss that ended their Super Bowl aspirations. However, for the players and coaches, it's just the next opponent on the schedule. The locker room remains focused on the bigger picture—winning a championship.
The Eagles reached the Super Bowl last year but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs. They beat the Chiefs in Week 11.
"I mean, last year, it's over with," defensive end Nick Bosa told reporters before Wednesday's practice. "Neither team finished the job, so it's not like they're looking back and reminiscing on an NFC Championship win either. I'm sure we were both sad at the end of the year.
"We both have aspirations to win Super Bowls, so it's a new year, and this is a big step for both of us to get to that aspiration."
Bosa recognizes the significance of the Week 13 matchup. A victory would bring the 49ers within striking distance of surpassing the Eagles for the top seed in the NFC playoff picture. However, a loss could be devastating, potentially requiring the team to travel to Philadelphia again in the postseason.
"Definitely a big game," acknowledged Bosa. "Yeah, just both really good teams. They're super consistent. We've been consistent over the years, so it's going to be good on good."
For Bosa's teammate, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, it's a unique situation. Hargrave was part of last season's Eagles team that ended the 49ers' Super Bowl hopes. He admits that he sits there and smiles whenever his teammates discuss last season's game, avoiding taking sides.
Hargrave joined San Francisco's locker room this offseason and helped form a formidable interior force alongside Arik Armstead. The defensive lineman admitted that some former teammates reached out this week.
"Just, you know, talk a little junk, but I ain't really been talking to them this week," said Hargrave. "... We can talk after the game, but we ain't gonna really talk much this week."
Having played in Philadelphia for three seasons, Hargrave knows what his new team should expect when stepping onto the field on Sunday.
"It's going to be loud. It's definitely going to be loud," predicted Hargrave. "Going to hear a lot of junk talking. It's going to be a great atmosphere."
The defensive tackle admits there are no secrets to defending a skilled quarterback like Jalen Hurts. It will take disciplined football and high-level execution to slow him down.
"He's an MVP-type quarterback, so it's just going to take the whole group," added Hargrave.
Discussing the challenges the 49ers faced against the Eagles last season, Bosa noted, "Obviously, when you lose your quarterback early and then it ... kind of plays into their hands, it's tough to stay in it and to play through four quarters. But this year should be different."